Spaying or neutering your pet rabbit

First-time rabbit caretakers are often surprised to learn that their new pet must be spayed or neutered. "I don't plan to breed her," they reason, or "Why should I have him altered if he's never going to come into contact with any unspayed females?" The fact is, rabbits who have been spayed or neutered live longer lives, make calmer pets and are less likely to exhibit negative behaviors.

Spaying and neutering rabbits is highly recommended

Most shelters alter the rabbits they adopt out, but if you got your bun from a breeder or pet shop, chances are he or she has not been neutered or spayed. Experts recommend that the surgery be done when the rabbit has reached sexual maturity, at about the age of four months. If the rabbit is more than two years old, he or she may require a complete health check, including blood work, to rule out any conditions that could make surgery more risky.

Do keep in mind that the majority of veterinarians have not had experience spaying and neutering rabbits, so it is in your pet's best interest to locate a doctor who regularly treats the species. Ask the members of your local rabbit rescue group or shelter for a referral. The House Rabbit Society has great information on selecting a veterinarian for your rabbit.

So, you've heard that all bunnies are cuddly and mild-mannered? You haven't lived with an unneutered male! Countless intact male rabbits are surrendered to shelters because of negative behaviors such as chewing and digging, as well as aggression: biting, lunging and growling at other rabbits and even humans in the home. Unaltered males also spray urine to mark their territory. Many of these undesirable behaviors disappear once the animal is neutered. Without reproductive urges and the need to fight off competitors, male rabbits are much calmer and more easily litter-trained.

Spaying and neutering improves the health of your bunny

Did you know that female rabbits are very susceptible to ovarian, uterine and mammarian cancers? Spaying your pet will virtually eliminate the risk of her succumbing to these serious diseases.

There are behavioral reasons for spaying as well. Intact rabbits tend to be aggressive with members of the same sex (and will, of course, breed with the opposite sex) but once your female is altered, you'll be able to get another bunny buddy for her. The same goes for neutered males.

Considering breeding rabbits?

If you do not want to spay or neuter your pet because you are thinking of breeding your rabbit, please reconsider. Many things can go wrong during pregnancy. It is not uncommon for the female to refuse to care for her young or, in the worst-case scenario, die during delivery or become sick from the stress of pregnancy. And do you know what happens to the babies when irresponsible owners allow their pets to breed? Many are released in parks, fields, and even city streets, to fend for themselves.

Other rabbits end up at shelters, where there are already too many animals and not enough homes for them. If you absolutely must have another rabbit, by all means have your resident hopper spayed or neutered, and consider adopting one who has already been altered. You'll feel good just knowing that you've given an animal a second chance at a good life!